Men’s Basketball Defeats Local Rival
Cougars Score First Victory of Season
(Springfield, MA) - Men's basketball has played well during the second half of their campaign and notched their first victory of the season on Thursday night after coming very close in recent games. The Cougars earned an 84-74 road win over local rival Springfield Technical CC. Holyoke trailed by three at halftime before outscoring their opposition 48-35 in the second half to secure the victory.
Dylan Rohan (Holyoke, MA / Holyoke HS) spearheaded the offense in the win, scoring 30 points which included three three-pointers. Kerteek Cheema (Morgan Hill CA / American HS) and Gabriel Ibekilo (Belchertown, MA / Belchertown HS) put forth stellar performances, each registering a double-double in the contest. Cheema scored 14 points and led the Cougars in assists with ten. He shot 4 for 4 from the free throw line and sank a pair of three pointers. Ibekilo led Holyoke with 11 rebounds and scored ten points. As a center, he rarely attempts three-pointers but drained his first of the season in the win. James Fitzgibbons (Hadley, MA / Hopkins Academy) scored 20 points while shooting 6 of 7 from the free throw line.
Men's basketball improves their regional record to 1-14 and their overall record to 1-18. They will travel for their next matchup before a home game on Tuesday, February 3rd at 7:30pm against regional opponent Massasoit CC. Four of Holyoke's six February games will be played at home on Golas Court in the Bartley Center. Let's go Cougars!
Photo: Cheema dribbles during a recent home game as Ibekilo moves off the ball.